Zal Climbing to Rudaba, page from a copy of the Shahnama of Firdausi

Arts of Asia

Safavid dynasty (1501–1722), dated 1580/90

Iran
Shiraz

Among the most beautiful examples of Islamic art are the illuminated manuscripts from Persia that portray legendary tales of heroism, love, and adventure. Zal Courting Rudabahis a page from a 16th-century version of the Book of Kings,the national epic of Persia. Below the lovers seen on the balcony are attendants, animals, architecture, flowering plants, and calligraphy (revered as an art form throughout the Islamic world), all carefully integrated into a rich, overall pattern. The painting’s jewel-like quality is enhanced by its brilliant colors, including gold and blue, formed from the precious stone lapis lazuli.

Status: Currently Off View
Department: Arts of Asia

Culture: Islamic
Title: Zal Climbing to Rudaba, page from a copy of the Shahnama of Firdausi
Place: Shiraz (Object made in)
Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.: 1575–1590
Medium: Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions: 26 × 17 cm (10 1/4 × 6 3/4 in.)
Credit Line: Ann McNear Collection
Reference Number: 1983.627
IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world. Learn more.: https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/120662/manifest.json

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Zal Climbing to Rudaba, page from a copy of the Shahnama of Firdausi

Currently Off View

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Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

Medium

Dimensions

Credit Line

Reference Number

IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world. Learn more.

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IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.